Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Orthopedic Implant Surface Performance: A Retrieval and Study.

Orthopedic devices are often associated with increased risk for diabetic patients due to impaired wound healing capabilities. Adverse biological responses for immunocompromised patients at the implant-tissue interface can lead to significant bone resorption that may increase failure rates. The goal of this study was to characterize the surface of implants removed from diabetic patients to determine underlying mechanisms of diabetes-induced impaired osseointegration.

Comparison of Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Performed With and Without Steroids.

This prospective comparative clinical study was performed to evaluate the effect of triamcinolone when added to bupivacaine during brachial plexus blockade in patients undergoing shoulder surgery. Interscalene brachial plexus blocks were performed on 910 patients before shoulder surgery. Of the patients, 574 were randomly allocated to receive steroids added to the injected local anesthetic and 336 patients received local anesthetic without steroids.

Asymptomatic Migration of a Kirschner Wire from the Proximal Aspect of the Humerus to the Thoracic Cavity: A Case Report.

Case: A 78-year-old man presented with an open fracture of the proximal aspect of the humerus and an axillary artery laceration; the fracture was treated provisionally with Kirschner wires (K-wires). Forty-five days postoperatively, he presented with pin prominence at the lateral aspect of the arm, and was incidentally noted to have migration of a separate K-wire to the left lung. He underwent successful thoracotomy and lung wedge resection for wire removal.

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a flexible guide pin with a rigid reamer.

Successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction depends heavily on accurate placement of the graft within the anatomical insertion of the native anterior cruciate ligament. Inaccurate placement can lead to graft failure and recurrent instability. Flexible guide pins and reamers have been developed to overcome some of the limitations of using transtibial and anteromedial portals to drill femoral tunnels.

Pseudoaneurysm after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and distal clavicle excision.

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is considered a safe and effective method of treating a variety of shoulder pathologies and is associated with a low complication rate. The type and rate of complications can vary, depending on the procedure, positioning, surgical time, and anesthesia. Fortunately, neurovascular injuries occur infrequently.

Proximal femoral stress reaction in a professional football player.

There have been no previous case reports of femoral stress fractures in professional football players. We present a professional defensive back who presented 1 week after noting mild soreness in the right proximal thigh during practices, prior to a regular season game. Early diagnosis of a stress reaction was made with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Risk factors in total joint arthroplasty: comparison of infection rates in patients with different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Infection after total joint arthroplasty is a serious complication. Several risk factors have been shown to increase the risk of total joint infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether socioeconomic background was a risk factor for infection in primary total joint arthroplasty.

Gymnastic wrist injuries.

During gymnastic activities, the wrist is exposed to many different types of stresses, including repetitive motion, high impact loading, axial compression, torsional forces, and distraction in varying degrees of ulnar or radial deviation and hyperextension. Many of these stresses are increased during upper extremity weight-bearing and predispose the wrist to high rates of injury during gymnastics. Distal radius stress injuries are the most common and most documented gymnastic wrist conditions.